My research is focused on understanding the role of mafic enclaves in the construction of felsic plutons. I am mainly interested in understanding the nature of geochemical interaction (e.g. mixing, metasomatism, assimilation) between enclaves and their host magmas and whether it is a dominant processes in the formation of granitic rocks.

I am also interested in using metamorphic rocks as a way of understanding the pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions of magma emplacement, batholith formation within continental crust, and construction of granitic rocks.

In addition to the research topics described above I have worked on several other projects in western North America prior to starting my doctorate.These projects include the following: Magma mixing at Chaos Crags, Lassen Volcanic National Park; Tectonics and paleomagnetism of the Walker Lane Belt; Magnetostratigraphy of the Stanislaus Group type section, Sierra Nevada, California.